Māpua Makers Markets are an important fundraiser for Māpua Hall, with stall holders paying a modest fee, visitors invited to contribute a koha at the door, and the hall committee running a popular morning tea. With the next market on 13 September, Waimea Weekly talks to some of the makers. This week we talk to Lisa Ross, who has turned a portable hobby into colourful creations.
Two-and-a-half years ago, Lisa Ross's son's fiancée bought a crocheted dinosaur.
"I could do that," thought Lisa, "and probably better." So she did.
Dinosaurs, however, were never really Lisa's thing, but gardening was. While her business is known as Lisa's Crochet, it could just as easily be called Lisa's Garden.
Her favourites are sunflowers, daisies and tulips, with a small sunflower in a terracotta pot proving to be her best seller.
Lisa is also trialling bunches of flowers. Recently, a customer wanted a gift for her grandmother, with each flower representing one of her three great-grandchildren. Based on their birth months, the bunch included daisies, a daffodil and a chrysanthemum.
Her product range has continued to grow. After buying a hat for herself and decorating it with crocheted flowers, Lisa received so many compliments that floral hats became part of her collection. She buys the hats and handmakes the flowers, which are attached to ribbon to create distinctive designs.
A sunflower takes about one-and-a-half hours to make, although that can be difficult to calculate because Lisa creates the individual components separately before assembling them.
Like many market stallholders, Lisa adapts her products to suit seasonal themes. Easter and Christmas are popular inspirations, while she hopes her flowers will be a hit at the Mother's Day Makers Market. For November, she plans to create Christmas wreaths featuring poinsettias.
Although Lisa does most of her craftwork at home, she is rarely without a crochet hook. Whether she is having coffee, waiting at the doctor's surgery or passing time elsewhere, she uses every opportunity to keep her hands busy.
What began as a hobby has evolved into a rewarding sideline, and Lisa is busier than ever.
The Makers Market features an eclectic mix of professional and amateur creators. Some are new to the market scene, while others are seasoned stallholders. As a fundraiser for Māpua Hall, the committee works to ensure a varied selection of crafts, including textiles, jewellery, woodwork, homewares, clothing and toys.
Each maker is selected for the quality and individuality of their products.
Visitors can also enjoy the popular hall-run café overlooking the Domain, serving cakes, mini rolls, sandwiches and Pomeroy's coffee, making it the perfect place to relax and take a break from shopping.
All profits from stall hire, the café and entry koha go towards the upkeep of Māpua Hall, which is owned, operated and funded by the local community.
Makers from across the wider region who produce contemporary, quality products are welcome to register their interest at mapuamakersmarket@gmail.com.
The next Māpua Makers Market is on Sunday, 13 September, 10am-2pm.
